Learning Activities For Your Baby


Books and Babies - For babies from age 6 weeks to 1 year Sharing books is a way to have fun with your baby and to start him on the road to becoming a reader. What You Need Cardboard or cloth books with large, simple pictures of things with which babies are familiar Lift-the-flap, touch- and-feel, or peek-through play books (For suggestions, see Resources for Children,

What to Do?

Read to your baby for short periods several times a day. Bedtime is always a good time, but you can read at other times as well--while you're in the park, on the bus, or even at the breakfast table (without the food!).

As you read, point out things in the pictures. Name them as you point to them. Give your baby sturdy books to look at, touch, and hold. Allow him to peek through the holes or lift the flaps to discover surprises. Babies soon recognize the faces and voices of those who care for them. As you read to your baby, he will begin to connect books with what he loves most--your voice and closeness.

Continue talking with your older child as you did with your baby. Talking helps him to develop language skills and lets him know that what he says is important.

What to Do

The first activities in the list below work well with younger children. As your child grows older, the later activities let him do more. However, keep doing the first ones as long as he enjoys them.

Talk often with your toddler. When feeding, bathing, and dressing him, ask him to name or find different objects or clothing. Point out colors, sizes, and shapes.

Talk with your child as you read together. Point to pictures and name what is in them. When he is ready, ask him to do the same. Ask him about his favorite parts of the story, and answer his questions about events or characters.

Teach your toddler to be a helper by asking him to find things. As you cook, give him pots and pans or measuring spoons to play with. Ask him what he is doing and answer his questions. ??

Whatever you do together, talk about it with your child.

When you eat meals, take walks, go to the store, or visit the library, talk with him. These and other activities give the two of you a chance to ask and answer questions such as, "Which flowers are red? Which are yellow?" "What else do you see in the garden?"Challenge your child by asking questions that need more than a "yes" or "no" answer.

Listen to your child's questions patiently and answer them just as patiently. If you don't know the answer to a question, have him join you as you look for the answer in a book. He will then see how important books are as sources of information.

Have your child tell you a story. Then ask him questions, explaining that you need to understand better.

When he is able, ask him to help you in the kitchen. He might set the table or decorate a batch of cookies. A first- grader may enjoy helping you follow a simple recipe. Talk about what you're fixing, what you're cooking with, what he likes to eat, and more.

Ask yourself if the TV is on too much. If so, turn it off and talk!

Anil Vij is the creator of the ultimate parenting toolbox, which has helped parents all over the world raise smarter, healthier and happier children ==> http://www.expertsonparenting.com

Sign up for Anil's Experts On Parenting Newsletter - just send a blank email ===> mailto: parentingnews@aweber.com







Related News



Calling All Babies and Toddlers: It's Time to Savor the Flavors of ... - Market Wire (press release)

Calling All Babies and Toddlers: It's Time to Savor the Flavors of ...
Market Wire (press release) -8 hours ago
... pomme bébé's summer menu creates yet another opportunity for busy families to build strong minds and bodies with 100% organic baby and toddler meals. ...

Kinderhotels offer a special menu for little ones - Easier (press release)

Easier (press release)

Kinderhotels offer a special menu for little ones
Easier (press release), UK -10 hours ago
With a Kinderhotel, travelling with children needn’t be a nightmare, because most baby and toddler equipment is provided free of charge. ...

Welcome to Nashville, Sunday Rose! - My Tennessean.com

Welcome to Nashville, Sunday Rose!
My Tennessean.com, TN -5 hours ago
“Also, the best trick out there that worked wonders with my daughter and all my friends babies is a Fisher Price Infant Toddler Rocker… ...

Your Toddler Might Need a Cholesterol Test - U.S. News & World Report

Your Toddler Might Need a Cholesterol Test
U.S. News & World Report, DC -Jul 7, 2008
In the past, docs worried that babies wouldn't get enough fat, which is critical for brain development, if they didn't drink whole milk. ...

The Less-Stress Family Vacation - Reader's Digest

The Less-Stress Family Vacation
Reader's Digest, NY -Jul 7, 2008
There's also the issue of sand: Older, more mobile babies and toddlers who are prone to putting things in their mouths will be a challenge. ...

Signs show that babies can be taught simple hand gestures - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Signs show that babies can be taught simple hand gestures
St. Louis Post-Dispatch,  United States -Jul 7, 2008
The program teaches babies, toddlers and young children to communicate using American Sign Language. This show reaches children by encouraging conversation ...

Giving babies space to grow - The Dominion Post

The Dominion Post

Giving babies space to grow
The Dominion Post, New Zealand -19 hours ago
Instead, a toddler who is very sure of his newly-learnt walk, greets us with a gummy smile and leads the way to a room with half a dozen mums and babies, ...


NBC urged to cancel 'Baby Borrowers' due to health, safety concerns - Reality TV World

NBC urged to cancel 'Baby Borrowers' due to health, safety concerns
Reality TV World, MA -Jul 7, 2008
"Separating babies and toddlers from their parents for extended periods of time can lead children to feel distress and anxiety," the organization wrote in ...

How to spend more time with the children - guardian.co.uk

How to spend more time with the children
guardian.co.uk, UK -18 hours ago
After spotting an advert in a trade publication, she bought a franchise of Musical Minis - which provides music classes for babies and toddlers - and has ...

The Positive Power of "No" - KREN CW 27 TV

The Positive Power of "No"
KREN CW 27 TV, NV -Jul 7, 2008
As babies, children raised in a supportive home are the center of the universe. Everything is done for them. In their toddler years, children begin to ...